Finnish 5-star 7-footer lifts John Calipari's 2026 class at Arkansas

TL;DR

Five-star 7-foot forward Miikka Muurinen has committed to Arkansas, elevating the Razorbacks to the top of the 2026 recruiting class rankings. Muurinen, known for his impressive skills, recently showcased his talent at the Nike Hoop Summit.

Key points

Miikka Muurinen commits to Arkansas
Arkansas is now ranked No. 1 in 2026 recruiting class
Muurinen is a 7-foot forward with five-star status
He performed well at the Nike Hoop Summit
Arkansas beat out schools like Duke and UNC

Miikka MuurinenArkansasNike Hoop Summit

Finnish 5-star 7-footer lifts John Calipari's 2026 class at Arkansas originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Five-star 7-foot forward Miikka Muurinen has committed to Arkansas, according to ESPN. The addition pushed John Calipari and the Razorbacks to No. 1 in the 2026 recruiting class rankings.

Muurinen has shown off his skills and was recently featured in the Nike Hoop Summit, tallying 10 points and eight rebounds. The nickname "Slim Jesus" has stuck with him for his play on the court with miraculous efforts. At 19, the former EuroLeague star is expected to make an immediate impact next season. Arkansas beat out several other schools, including Duke, UNC, Kentucky, UCLA, and Indiana.

"Since my visit a year and a half ago, they've been consistent and committed to recruiting me," Muurinen told ESPN. "They've always shown interest. They've been very consistent, and they've gotten to know me as a person. That's been very important to me."When I left my Arkansas visit, I was not only excited about the program but also about the people, and I said to myself, those are the type of people I want to be around on a daily basis."

Muurinen is a consensus five-star, according to all recruiting services with a 93-rating at No. 8 overall for ESPN. He's one of three top-rated players on the Hogs roster next season, including Sporting News Player of the Year Jordan Smith Jr., who is No. 2 behind Tyran Stokes.

Needless to say, Calipari's roster will be stacked making Arkansas one of the college basketball teams to watch as they reload.

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Q&A

Who is Miikka Muurinen and why is he significant for Arkansas?

Miikka Muurinen is a five-star, 7-foot forward who recently committed to Arkansas, making a significant impact on their 2026 recruiting class rankings.

What schools did Miikka Muurinen consider before committing to Arkansas?

Muurinen considered several top programs, including Duke, UNC, Kentucky, UCLA, and Indiana, before choosing Arkansas.

How did Miikka Muurinen perform at the Nike Hoop Summit?

At the Nike Hoop Summit, Muurinen scored 10 points and grabbed eight rebounds, showcasing his skills on a national stage.